Bernd Wagner | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/profile/bernd-wagner
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Neo-Nazi terror cell shows Germany was fooled by the far right | Bernd Wagnerhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/nov/16/neo-nazi-terror-cell-germany
We thought we had the far-right threat under control, but these atrocities have destroyed all faith in the security services<p>This week's revelations that a <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/nov/16/german-neo-nazi-security-service-scandal" title="Guardian: Neo-Nazi terror scandal grows in Germany">neo-Nazi terror cell</a> was able to carry out more than 10 assassinations over 13 years without being stopped by the secret service has left Germany in a state of shock. Confusion, shame, so many unanswered questions. Has the rule of law failed? Have the security services come off the rails? The questions never end. The <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/nov/16/german-neo-nazi-terror-hitlist" title="Guardian: German neo-Nazi terrorists had 'hitlist' of 88 political targets">news stories</a> are never-ending. Politics is on trial. Has everything been done to keep the Nazis in check and citizens safe? Was the problem underestimated?</p><p>It would certainly be wrong to say that either the Germans or the politicians were blind to the existence of a far-right movement; but we <a href="http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,797569,00.html" title="Spiegel: A Disturbing New Dimension of Far-Right Terror">let ourselves be fooled</a>, thought we had it all under control. This turned out to be a tragic illusion. We didn't really listen to the warnings, or to the analysts who said the threat was still there. Those who were committed to doing something were kept on a short lead when it came to money and support, while millions were squandered elsewhere, as the German Federal audit office found recently.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/nov/16/neo-nazi-terror-cell-germany">Continue reading...</a>GermanyThe far rightEuropeWorld newsWed, 16 Nov 2011 18:49:15 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/nov/16/neo-nazi-terror-cell-germanyPhotograph: /ReutersBeate Zschäpe, Uwe Mundlos and Uwe Böhnhardt, the three key members of the neo-Nazi terror cell. Photograph: /ReutersPhotograph: /ReutersBeate Zschäpe, Uwe Mundlos and Uwe Böhnhardt, the three key members of the neo-Nazi terror cell. Photograph: /ReutersBernd Wagner2011-11-16T18:49:15ZAn antifascist message that even neo-Nazis will wear | Bernd Wagnerhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/aug/11/antifascist-t-shirt-neonazi
A T-shirt that changes on washing to highlight that there's a way out of extremism – that's a modern way of curbing the far right<p>The motto for the concert was "Rock for Germany". Music was the medium through which young people from the city of Gera in the east of Germany were meant to get excited about nationalism and national socialism. The local branch of the NPD, an influential far-right party with about 6,600 followers nationwide, was hoping to gain new followers for its ideology by making their party programme look like fun: 600 people had gathered to celebrate Nazi fashion, racist music and their belief in Aryan ideals. Outside the festival complex, far-left antifascists had gathered to protest against the event: business as usual.</p><p>One thing was going to be different this time, however. Our organisation, Exit-Germany, which has in the past 11 years helped more than 400 people to leave the neo-Nazi scene, had an idea. Rather than protesting against the festival from outside, we wanted to set up a message inside. A professional company helped us print two different designs on 250 cotton T-shirts. The first one displayed a typical far-right symbol, a skull with the slogan "Hardcore Rebels" and two flags. <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/10/german-right-wing-fans-tshirts" title="Guardian: German rightwing rock fans tricked in anti-extremist T-shirt stunt">The second one was only visible after you'd put the shirt in the wash</a>. It read: "If your T-shirt can do it, you can do it too – we'll help you get away from rightwing extremism"</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/aug/11/antifascist-t-shirt-neonazi">Continue reading...</a>GermanyThe far rightWorld newsEuropeThu, 11 Aug 2011 18:12:48 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/aug/11/antifascist-t-shirt-neonaziPhotograph: Jens Meyer/AP'We can no longer just rely on the far-left and political rituals to curb far-right culture.' Photograph: Jens Meyer/APPhotograph: Jens Meyer/AP'We can no longer just rely on the far-left and political rituals to curb far-right culture.' Photograph: Jens Meyer/APBernd Wagner2011-08-11T18:12:48Z